CDC expands warning regarding of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal

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Friday

Jul 13, 2018 at 5:15 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on July 12, expanded its recommendation that the public not eat Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.

The initial recommendation on June 14 was that the public not eat the cereal found in certain sized packages, with a specific “best-by” date. On July 12, the CDC expanded their recommendation, saying that the public should not eat, and retailers should not sell, any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. The CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been investigating a multistate outbreak of salmonella mbandaka infections, linked to the cereal.

An additional 27 people have reported becoming ill after eating the cereal since the June 14 announcement. This brings the total number of ill persons to 100, including 30 who have been hospitalized. Thirty-three states have been identified as having ill persons; Delaware still has no identified illnesses from this outbreak. However, the Division of Public Health is sharing this information as most of our surrounding states on the East Coast have been affected. No deaths have been reported.

The CDC and DPH recommend actions for consumers who have purchased Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal:

— Do not eat Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal.

— Throw out the cereal or return it for a refund, even if someone in the household ate some and did not get sick.

— If cereal is stored in a container without the packaging and the brand or type is uncertain, throw it away. Thoroughly wash the container with warm, soapy water before using it again to remove harmful germs that could contaminate other food.

People get sick from salmonella from 12 to 72 hours after swallowing the germ and experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.

This investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide more information as it becomes available. To report foodborne illness in Delaware, call 744-4990 or 888-295-5156.